Metro officials latched the gates at the Seventh Street/Metro subway station on Monday August 5, completing a locking procedure that means riders of the Metro Red and Purple lines will have to use TAP cards loaded with the proper fare to access the trains at all stations. Permanent gate latching began at subway stations June 19 to ensure passengers pay their fares before boarding rail cars, officials said. Metro officials said the system will improve Metro's ability to increase safety and adjust service based on demand.

Metro will soon begin latching gates at Gold Line stations, with work on five stations expected to be completed by Oct. 14. Some stations at Metro's Green and Blue lines will also be latched by Feb. 15. The TAP fare card can also be used on other regional transit services, including Metrolink, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation and the

Antelope Valley, Torrance, Foothill and Montebello bus systems. Metro officials said they hope to include 25 regional transit services on the TAP system by the close of 2014.